Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03720 Author/Creator: Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 December 1787 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Height: 30.1 cm, Width: 18.3 cm Order a Copy

Feels encouraged by good news regarding Pennsylvania and Connecticut's reception of the Constitution. Wishes he could say the same about Massachusetts, but "Mr. Gerry's Letter has done infinite mischief." Writes "I have rec'd a considerable share of Personal abuse in the News Papers but it shall not discourage me from exerting my small share of influence in so good a cause." Has published Benjamin Franklin's remarks just before signing the Constitution. Noted sideways at bottom of second page, "Poor Spear hanged himself last night." Written in Charles Town, which is now a part of Boston, Massachusetts.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

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